Well action is on its way in Australia. They are just moments away from action as the Kangaroos head for the hills when the polo players take to the polo pitch. If you’re going south, no fear, there is a lot of action.
In Europe polo is winding down in most places, but polo is in high-gear in St. Tropez where the Fall polo is fabulous. In South America it’s Spring time and there is a polo game somewhere every minute of the day from Argentina to Brazil. There is action and in the big polo. There are a couple of players who frequently play her the U.S., Mariano Gonzalez and Sapo Casset, who are in the finals of the first big tournament in Argentina. They have Adolfo Cambiaso to deal with in the finals, so it may not be a fun day, but hey it’s the finals. It is Lolo and Adolfo Cambiaso, so most people do know.
On the eastern seaboard it was Billy Sheldon showing the West Coast Express in our Nation’s capital. He scored 6 goals and led the USA over England in the indoor Townsend Cup. Well done Billy Boy! He is from Poway, CA and played with John Gobin and the Captain Adain Seger bravo USA. Houston was dark as well as Dallas. They had some rain that way. You already know about San Diego as the Spreckels Cup is in the history books.
As we look towards winter Polo 2009 there is a lot of news. Gracida Int takes over The Villages management. Hobe Sound may play. Boca is closed, but Grand Champions opens soon and Houston will be back and Aiken is just getting under way. All of these places have new and improved places to play Polo. Out West Dollinger’s field in Thermal, CA has disappeared, Deer Creek is hopping and Brazo Norte is tumble weeds. La Quinta is going to be awesome and the fields at Empire are back to the 80’s. They look smashing with a new facelift. Al Hagen has done what he does best . . . made it right. They have new sprinklers, sand and lots of TLC. The fields there look fantastic. If the fields are as good as they look, it will be the place to be. Eldorado has spent some money and changed their appearance field-wise as the north side of 51 (the road that runs down the center of the Club) looks very good. The south side is green and that’s a big improvement. Andy Perkins (Dir. of Agronomy) has been working on those fields. We could have a very nice place to be in California if they do not stop the improvements. The best news of all is that Eldorado is limiting the number of teams, so that makes better polo and safer polo. Some people are unhappy about the loss of the 2-goal polo, but it’s best for the sport. We need the fast games to be played where it’s safe. So play 4-goal polo or if you can participate in the Pro Pool or Coaching league. It will be a big plus to the sport and your life in the game because it is much safer.
See ya.
FYI – There is a new Pro Pool at Eldorado. The league will consist of teams with one pro (3- or 4-goals) who will play with three amateurs. Teams will be formed by the Club and changed every weekend. This Pro Pool is for –1 and –2 players. Other Clubs call this the Margarita League and it serves as a teaching forum and a step up from the Coaching League. You can pay by the weekend or by the season to participate in this league.